Alessandro Del Piero

<p>Alessandro Del Piero was born on November 9, 1974, in Conegliano, Veneto, Italy. Beginning his youth career with San Vendemiano and Padova, he was signed by Juventus in 1993, making his Serie A debut that September. Endowed with sublime dribbling, free-kick precision, and tactical vision, club patron Gianni Agnelli affectionately nicknamed him <em>Il Pinturicchio</em> after the Renaissance painter.</p><p>Del Piero became the heartbeat and captain of Juventus during its golden era. He led the club to victory in the 1995–96 UEFA Champions League, scoring the winning goal in the 1996 Intercontinental Cup against River Plate. His trademark curled finish from the left edge of the penalty box into the top far corner became universally known in Italian football culture as the 'Gol alla Del Piero' (Del Piero Goal).</p><p>Del Piero cemented his eternal loyalty to Juventus in 2006 when, fresh from winning the 2006 FIFA World Cup with Italy—where he scored the iconic 121st-minute clincher in the 2–0 semifinal victory over host Germany in Dortmund—he chose to stay with Juventus following their relegation to Serie B, declaring 'A true gentleman never leaves his lady'. He led the club to immediate promotion and another Serie A title in 2012 before concluding his playing career in Australia and India. With 290 goals, he remains Juventus's all-time top scorer.</p>